An ideal balance of city and countryside, walk through medieval towns and village hamlets as Portugal steals your heart on this 8-day active discovery. A feast for the senses, savour the regions' delicious food with fresh, local ingredients and hike along the vineyard and olive grove-laced landscapes of the Douro Valley, with pit stops to sample some of the delicious wines and delicacies of the region. Finish in Porto as a final course to cap off the perfect week. Rich in history and culture, experience Portugal as never before.
Travel Style
The Geluxe Collection
Service Level
Upgraded
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your Discover Moment: Monsanto Visit with Local Guide, Monsanto
Your Foodie Moment: Lunch With a View and Wine Pairings, Peso da Régua
Your OMG Day: Walking Tour of Porto or a River Cruise with Port Wine Tasting, Porto. Welcome dinner. Hike in Serra da Estrela National Park to the Vale do Rossim Lagoon. Hike past vineyards in the Douro Valley along the Corgo River. Hike to the Casal de Loivos from Pinhão. Farewell Dinner. All tips included for activities and meals, except for CEO and porterage. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Hike through the scenic countryside near the Spanish border from the small down of Salvaterra do Extremo, Walk on a medieval road from Casteleiros to Sortelha, See picturesque terraces drawn in the landscape of the Douro Valley, Taste wines with a view overlooking the Douro River
How large will the group be?
Max 16, avg 12.
What meals are included in this trip?
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private vehicle, walking.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (7 nts).
Itinerary
Medelim: Portugal's Countryside
Speckled with charming and picturesque villages, Portugal will transport you into a fairytale from the coast to the mountains. Dream of village-to-village hikes and delicious food as you head off into the countryside towards the Spanish border. We welcome you to Portugal, and invite you to savour the sights, sounds and flavours of the adventure to come. Depart Lisbon in the morning toward the border of Spain to a town called Idanha-a-Velha with a lunch stop on the way at a local restaurant and a walk through the village. Later, drive to the town of Medelim for the night.
Medelim: Historic Village Hikes
Travel back in time over 1000 years to an era of castles, legends and traditions. Deemed one of Portugal's 12 Historic Villages, hiking to Monsanto will connect you to the time of conquerors as you traverse the paths through historic stone walls and castles. Enjoy the tales of this region's fascinating history under fig and olive trees. Enjoy breakfast before transferring to Relva for a short hike followed by a guided walking tour of Monsanto. After lunch, continue down to Carroqueiro before heading back to the accommodation for a free afternoon and dinner with your group.
Manteigas: Hike to a Castle in the Sky
The enchanting Sortelha Castle stands on a crag at an altitude of 760 meters. It looms over the most mysterious of all the historic villages, where you will soon lose yourself in a maze of alleys and lanes as you hike up to the lofty castle. It is a place where time seems to have stood still. The wind whistles round the corners and hardly anyone passes by. This sentiment lingers when you arrive to the town of Belmonte after your visit to Sortelha. In the morning, transfer to Sortelha and visit the beautiful castle before heading to the grandiose town of Belmonte. In the afternoon, check into your OMG Stay.
Amarante: Explore Serra da Estrela National Park
In Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain range in continental Portugal, rolling hills are interrupted by giant slabs of granite that protrude out of the ground. Pause to admire the beauty of this stark environment as you cross Corgo da Mós before the hike leads you to the beautiful Vale do Rossim Lagoon. In the afternoon, transfer north to Amarante. Hike through the Serra da Estrela National Park to the Lagoon of Vale do Rossim. Return for a delicious lunch before heading to Amarante for the night.
Amarante: Douro Valley Walk Along the Vineyards
Head to Casa de Mateus for a guided tour of the palace and museum before transferring to a family-owned vineyard and winery, where a variety of Vinho Verde (green wine) is produced. Join a guided walk through the estate, enjoy a regional lunch, and soak in the incredible views as you taste some of the local specialties. After breakfast, transfer to Casa de Mateus for a visit before continuing on to a world-class vineyard for lunch and a guided tour.
Amarante: Hike to Casal de Loivos
Mesmerizing mazes of vineyards scale the sides of the Pinhão hills. You will weave through historic village streets, beautiful buildings and up through paths draped with green grape vines. This hike allows for an endless panoramic riverscape and gorgeous views of the Douro River. Spend another day in the Douro wine region with a longer hike through the hills and town of Pinhão. In the afternoon, return to Amarante and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Porto: Your OMG Day
Porto is yours to discover today with a choice of two activities. Explore the best of Portugal's second largest city on a walking tour through picturesque neighborhoods, or choose to climb aboard a river cruise followed by a port wine tasting in the historic Vila de Nova Gaia area of the city. Travel from Amarante to Porto in the morning. Choose between a walking tour through Porto or join your CEO on a Douro river cruise and walk through Vila Nova de Gaia to Porto Augusto for a wine tasting. Enjoy a free afternoon before joining your group and CEO for one last dinner together in the evening.
Porto
Today your adventure comes to an end and you can depart at any time.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
